ROCHESTER (NY)
Democrat & Chronicle
Jeffrey Blackwell
Staff writer
(August 2, 2005) — A Spencerport priest was arraigned this morning on charges that he sexually abused a 14-year-old boy while he was a pastor at the Church of the Annunciation in northeast Rochester.
The Rev. Dennis Sewar, 54, was arraigned in Rochester City Court this morning on misdemeanor charges of third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Sewar declined comment this morning. John Speranza, his attorney, said he will investigate the charges and intends to mount a defense for his client.
"He is strong," Speranza said of Sewar. "He denies the charges in that they never happened."